External tube extraction device with a cylindrical collapsing wedge

Abstract

The invention is related to a tube extracting device for removing a tube from a conventional drum of a boiler or heat exchanger. The device includes a wedge which is driven into a tube hole between the tube outer wall and the hole in the drum that the tube is in. The wedge has longitudinal ridges on its internal surface and inwardly tapered edges at its end which is driven into the zone between the tube hole and the outer wall of the tube such that the tube may be readily inwardly collapsed. Upon retracting the wedge from the tube hole, the tube is removed from the drum inside the wedge.

1. A tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum, the tube extraction device comprising:
 a wedge having a cylindrical member with a top end and a bottom end, a plurality of longitudinal ridges formed on the interior surface of the cylindrical member, and a plurality of tapered edges formed at the bottom end of the cylindrical member; 
 a means for mounting the wedge substantially concentric with the tube hole; and 
 a ram connected to the wedge for moving the bottom end of the wedge into the tube hole so that the tube collapses therein and is removed with the wedge upon retracting the wedge from the tube hole. 
 
   
   
     2. The tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for mounting the wedge comprises a housing connected to the ram and at least two legs extending from the housing to surfaces of the drum at opposite sides of the tube hole, the legs having feet that stabilize the device on the surfaces of the drum during operation of the device. 
   
   
     3. The tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a flexible band having at least two ends, each end connected to opposite sides of the frame, the band being wrapped around a peripheral surface of the drum. 
   
   
     4. The tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical member has a center axis and the longitudinal ridges are parallel the center axis. 
   
   
     5. A tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ram is hydraulically powered. 
   
   
     6. A tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing and the legs form a unitary structure. 
   
   
     7. A tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top end of the wedge comprises a circular flange. 
   
   
     8. A tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a clamping mechanism for clamping the top end of the wedge to the ram. 
   
   
     9. The tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the clamping mechanism comprises at least two members extended from the ram, each member having an extension for clamping the top end of the wedge. 
   
   
     10. The tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom end of the wedge has a flat face parallel the tube hole. 
   
   
     11. A tube extraction device for removing a tube from a tube hole in a drum, the tube extraction device comprising:
 a housing having at least two legs extended to surfaces of the drum at opposite sides of the tube hole, the legs having feet that stabilize the device on the surfaces of the drum during operation of the device; 
 a ram mounted to the housing; and 
 a wedge having a cylindrical member with a top end and a bottom end, a plurality of longitudinal ridges formed on the interior surface of the cylindrical member and a plurality of tapered edges formed at the bottom end of the cylinder, the wedge being mounted to the ram so that the cylindrical body of the wedge is concentric with the tube hole.